I have seen mil-spec rebuilt and new 8V71 available for very reasonable. They are listed as industrial engines. Are these set up for generator type use? What would be involved to convert it for bus use if there is a difference?

The main difference is in the governor. Industrial engines, whether it be used for generator or compressor have a constant speed governor that is very sensitive to keeping the rpm at its' set speed-like 1800 for a generator. By contrast, a highway engine has a limiting speed governor that mainly works at idle and at high end governing. In between, the governor basically works off the gas pedal for the feel of like what a car does. On the other hand, the constant speed governor, if hooked up to the gas pedal, will be very sensitive to pedal movement, meaning it would be either all the way on or all the way off, in a very short pedal travel. Not to say you can't use it that way. Also, the timing most likely be different (can be changed) and sometimes use larger injectors than on road engines (also can be changed). That's the beauty of the old 2 strokers, you could configure them for just about any application you wanted-including running them standing on end! Good Luck, TomC

To add to what Tom said,Another type govenor used on the industrial engines was a dual speed that typically was either at 1200 rpm until called on for more power when it went all the way up to 2300 rpm. These were oil operated govenors.The air operated style would give 1600 at low power then shift to 2100.Neither one would be fun on the road.Also, just thinking about it, lot's of times the liners were different than a "highway use" engine. They were more like marine engines with the smaller ports. Also not good for road use.Dallas

I don't know if mine was unusuall, but the rebuilt 8V71T that I installed in my MCI 8 did have the large ports liners. It was a truck engine, not an industrial. It did take a lot of parts swapping to install in my bus.

I've been checking through the books I have and most of the 71's use either a 1.05 port or a .95 port. The difference apparently applies only to the particular application. I was also surprised to see some of the TA's, TI's, and TTA's using the 18.*:1 pistons. And a real surprise, a 12V71 for bus and coach use.I wish I had more complete data on a bunch of this stuff.Dallashttp://www.busconversionstuff.com/eventpage.htmhttp://www.catsscratchinpost.com

Those "mil spec" engines were used in tanks, marine applications, for deck power units, and generators. Some of them were high HP and would be a challenge to keep cool in a bus. Would seem to be desirable to know what the engine was intended for prior to purchase....may get really expensive by the time it's installed in a bus and useable. I don't know what coach you have, but the turbos on mil specs are often located in odd places...like above the bell housing or in front of the accessary drive pully. May have to plan on replacing all the exhaust and turbo...maybe not. Military uses odd stuff. May have to find a bus donor for all the bits to complete the install...coolers, bell housing, harmonic balance, air compressor, alternator, fuel pump, and all the various drives that are used in a bus. May be able to use your engine for a donor? Most military engines have been sitting around for years...believe a Pedco or Reliabuilt (or other known good rebuilder) would be a better source for a good engine. If you plan to keep your bus for a while, don't want to visit the engine event too often. Don't want to worry with overheating either..that can get very expensive. Find a 6V92T takeout and you'll be happy for less $$...however, an 8V71T is a powerful engine. My dos centavos, JR MC9 with "slow spec" 6V92TA

Logged

JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.”

One other comment, what rotation is the mil-spec engine? That could be a problem...looks like you have a GM V drive? That's a LH rotation...you don't want to try to change the rotation of a DD 2 stroke. That's major work. JR

Logged

JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.”

You could probably make good use of any RH DD in your coach. I see "GM" and automatically think V drive. Duh!You have all the accessories off your 8V71, that's most of the problem solved for any RH 8V71N. Good luck with your project! JR

Logged

JR Lynch , Charlotte, NC87 MC9, 6V92TA DDEC, HT748R ATEC

"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others.”